Endocrinology Practice Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Excess prolactin causes gynaecomastia due to its stimulatory effect on breast tissue growth in males. Prolactin inhibits the release of testosterone, leading to an imbalance in sex hormones and breast tissue development. Acromegaly is caused by excess growth hormone, not prolactin. Early menopause is unrelated to prolactin levels. Anaemia is typically not associated with prolactin excess. Thus, gynaecomastia is the most appropriate outcome of excess prolactin.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer A is correct: 1. Oxytocin is synthesized in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream. 2. In the plasma, oxytocin binds to neurophysin, a carrier protein. 3. This binding helps stabilize oxytocin and regulate its release and distribution. 4. Therefore, choice A is correct as oxytocin is bound to neurophysin in plasma. Summary: - Choice B is incorrect as oxytocin stimulates milk ejection, not inhibits milk production. - Choice C is incorrect as oxytocin promotes myometrial contraction during labor. - Choice D is incorrect as oxytocin can enhance sperm motility, not inhibit it.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Gynaecomastia is a known side effect of spironolactone, digitalis, and cimetidine. 2. Rifampicin is not associated with gynaecomastia. 3. Rifampicin is an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and other infections. 4. The mechanism of action of rifampicin does not involve hormonal changes that could lead to gynaecomastia. Summary of incorrect choices: - A: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause gynaecomastia. - B: Digitalis (digoxin) can lead to gynaecomastia as a side effect. - C: Cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, is also known to cause gynaecomastia.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inhibition of the function of thyroid peroxidase. Propylthiouracil inhibits thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. By blocking this enzyme, propylthiouracil reduces the production of thyroid hormones, helping to manage hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease. Explanation: 1. Propylthiouracil directly inhibits thyroid peroxidase, unlike other antithyroid medications that target different mechanisms. 2. Inhibition of thyroid peroxidase leads to decreased synthesis of thyroid hormones, effectively controlling hyperthyroidism. 3. Other choices are incorrect because propylthiouracil does not primarily affect the production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (choice A), peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 (choice C), or iodine organification (choice D) in the treatment of Graves' disease. In summary, the inhibition of thyroid peroxidase by

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Myxoedema. Myxoedema is associated with hypothyroidism, not SIADH. Guillain-Barre syndrome, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and bronchogenic carcinoma are all conditions that can lead to SIADH due to various mechanisms. Guillain-Barre syndrome can cause SIADH through autonomic dysfunction, endocarditis through the release of inflammatory cytokines, and bronchogenic carcinoma through production of ectopic ADH. Therefore, myxoedema is the only incorrect choice as it does not typically lead to SIADH.